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Tag Archives: The Netherlands

Now that I’m back from my Summer Engagement Abroad Module in the Netherlands and Germany, I reflect on my time in Amsterdam as the best part of the trip. The unique cultural associations, ease of transportation, ability to communicate everywhere in my native tongue, and access to the advanced technological infrastructure in the Netherlands—which facilitated communication…

Communication technology development in the Netherlands is some of the best in the world. The latest statistics from internetworldstats.com for the Netherlands, December 31, 2014, indicate that the country has an internet penetration rate of 95.5%—the fifth highest in the world. A 2012 poll conducted by the Office for National Statistics and Eurostat found that…

The cultural facet most impactful on my experience in the Netherlands is the Dutch’s utilization of time. Effective time management has been essential to meeting appointments and avoiding any cultural faux pas. The concept of time in the Netherlands is viewed as a commodity to be utilized or wasted; therefore, the Dutch are punctual, prepared,…

As a visitor to the Netherlands, the most evident characteristic certain to influence foreign tourists is the transportation system—ranked fourth in the world by the World Economic Forum’s 2014-2015 Global Competitiveness Report. Travel by road, rail, air, and water networks is safe, efficient, and practical for citizens and noncitizens alike. The Netherlands has one of…

Progressive policies have made the Netherlands a liberal, socially tolerant society, which has given the Dutch many accomplishments to be proud of. The country has passed legislation creating Lenient drug laws—making soft drugs illegal, but not criminally punishable if a short-list of restrictions are followed; Legal prostitution (as mentioned in the previous post); Legal euthanasia,…

I arrived in Amsterdam for my Summer Engagement Abroad Module (SEAM) with the Human Rights and International Justice program on June 2nd. Upon entering the city from the airport, the first abnormality for American eyes would be the overabundance of bicycles. Visitors to Amsterdam need to remain hyperaware of their surroundings at all times. Bikes,…